A legal affidavit is one of the most commonly notarized documents in Nepal, required for visa applications, court proceedings, overseas employment, government registrations, and many other legal purposes. Drafting an affidavit incorrectly — omitting required elements, using wrong legal language, or failing to have it properly notarized — can result in rejection by the embassy, court, or authority you are submitting it to. Hamro Notary at Chabahil, Kathmandu, assists clients in drafting and notarizing all types of affidavits accepted by embassies, MoFA, Nepali courts, and foreign immigration authorities.
What Is a Legal Affidavit in Nepal?
An affidavit (Shapathpatra in Nepali) is a written statement of fact made under oath by the person making it (the deponent). In Nepal, an affidavit becomes legally valid when the deponent:
- Swears an oath or makes an affirmation before a Notary Public (or before a court)
- Signs the affidavit in the presence of the Notary Public
- Has the Notary Public apply their official seal and certification to the affidavit
The Notary Public’s role is to verify the deponent’s identity, administer the oath, witness the signature, and certify that all these steps occurred. An affidavit signed without a notary (or with an unregistered notary) is not a legally valid affidavit for embassy, MoFA, or court submissions in Nepal.
Common Types of Affidavits in Nepal
| Affidavit Type | Common Use |
|---|---|
| Relationship affidavit | Proving family relationship for visa sponsorship, dependent visa, family reunion |
| Single status / unmarried declaration | Marriage visa applications, marriage registration abroad |
| Name discrepancy affidavit | When name spelling differs across documents (passport, degree, citizenship card) |
| Address/residence declaration | Proving residential address for government or embassy purposes |
| Income/financial declaration | Supporting visa financial sufficiency requirements |
| No criminal record declaration | Some visa applications where PCC is not available |
| Citizenship/nationality declaration | Asserting Nepali citizenship status |
| Property ownership declaration | Legal and banking purposes |
| Consent affidavit for minors | Allowing a minor to travel abroad with one parent or guardian |
| Death declaration affidavit | When a death certificate is unavailable or for legal estate matters |
Required Elements of a Valid Affidavit in Nepal
A legally valid affidavit notarized in Nepal must include:
- Title: “AFFIDAVIT” or “SWORN STATEMENT” at the top of the document
- Deponent identification: Full name, citizenship number or passport number, age, and permanent address of the person making the affidavit
- Statement body: Clear, numbered paragraphs stating the facts being declared. Each fact should be a separate numbered statement
- Oath declaration: A statement that the deponent swears or solemnly affirms the contents are true to the best of their knowledge (e.g., “I, [name], do hereby solemnly declare and state as follows…”)
- Signature block: Space for the deponent’s signature and date
- Notary certification block: Space for the Notary Public’s certification, stamp, signature, registration number, and date
- Verification statement: The notary’s statement that the deponent appeared before them, was identified, took the oath, and signed in the notary’s presence
How to Draft an Affidavit in Nepal: Step-by-Step
Identify the Purpose and Required Content
Determine exactly what facts need to be stated in the affidavit and for whom. An embassy may have a specific affidavit format or template — check the embassy’s visa application requirements first. If no specific format is required, a general format meeting the elements above is accepted.
Draft the Affidavit
Draft the affidavit with clear, factual statements. Avoid ambiguous language, opinions, or conclusions — stick to facts within your personal knowledge. Number each factual statement. Keep the language simple and direct.
Review Before Signing
Review the draft carefully before your appointment at Hamro Notary. Ensure all facts are accurate, names match your ID documents exactly, dates are correct (using Gregorian/AD format for embassy purposes), and all relevant facts are included. Do not sign the document yet.
Appear at Hamro Notary with Original ID
Visit Hamro Notary at Naramaya Bhawan, Chabahil (Sunday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM) with your unsigned affidavit and your original passport or citizenship card. Our notary verifies your identity and reviews the affidavit for completeness.
Take the Oath and Sign in the Notary’s Presence
The Notary Public administers an oath: you affirm that the contents of the affidavit are true to the best of your knowledge. Then you sign the affidavit in the notary’s presence. Do not sign before this step.
Notary Applies Seal and Certification
The Notary Public applies the official stamp, signs the certification block, adds their registration number and the date, and certifies that the deponent appeared, was identified, took the oath, and signed. Your affidavit is now a legally notarized document.
Common Affidavit Drafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing before appearing before the notary — the most common and most damaging mistake; the notary cannot certify what they did not witness
- Name spelling inconsistency — the name in the affidavit must match your ID documents exactly; discrepancies create issues with embassies
- Including legal conclusions rather than facts — “I am the legal heir” is a conclusion; “I am the eldest son of [father’s name], who passed away on [date]” is a fact
- Missing the deponent’s ID details — citizenship number or passport number must appear in the affidavit
- Using Nepali calendar (B.S.) dates for embassy affidavits — use AD/Gregorian dates; if converting B.S. to AD, state both dates clearly
- Submitting a photocopy of the notarized affidavit — embassies and MoFA require the original notarized document, not a photocopy
Draft and Notarize Your Affidavit Today
Hamro Notary assists with affidavit drafting and same-day notarization at Chabahil, Kathmandu. Walk-in Sunday–Friday.
Get Your Affidavit Notarized →Frequently Asked Questions
Can Hamro Notary draft the affidavit for me, or do I need to bring a pre-drafted document?
Hamro Notary can assist in drafting standard affidavits — relationship affidavits, name discrepancy declarations, single status declarations, and similar common types. For more complex legal affidavits with unusual facts or specific legal requirements (such as affidavits for court proceedings involving property disputes), consulting a lawyer for the draft is advisable before coming to us for notarization.
How long is a notarized affidavit valid?
Nepal law does not specify a universal expiry period for affidavits. However, many embassies and authorities have their own validity rules — typically 3–6 months from the notarization date. Check the specific requirements of the embassy or institution. If your affidavit is approaching the 3-month mark and has not been submitted, consider having it re-notarized to be safe.
Can I get an affidavit notarized on behalf of someone who is abroad?
The person making the affidavit (deponent) must physically appear before the notary and take the oath in person — an affidavit cannot be signed and notarized on someone else’s behalf. If a person is abroad and needs a notarized affidavit, they must visit a Notary Public in the country where they are located. Hamro Notary can then assist with certifying translations or other related documentation in Nepal.
Does my affidavit need to be on stamp paper?
Nepal law does not universally require affidavits to be on stamp paper for embassy or visa purposes. For Nepali court affidavits, stamp paper (dhara) requirements may apply depending on the court and nature of the proceeding. For foreign embassy submissions, plain A4 paper with the notary’s certification is standard and accepted.
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